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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best San Marcos Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 19 public schools serving 17,106 students in San Marcos, CA (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,842 private students). 92% of all K-12 students in San Marcos, CA are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
The top-ranked public schools in San Marcos, CA are Discovery Elementary School, Paloma Elementary School and San Elijo Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
San Marcos, CA public schools have an average math proficiency score of 45% (versus the California public school average of 34%), and reading proficiency score of 59% (versus the 47% statewide average). Schools in San Marcos have an average ranking of 8/10, which is in the top 30% of California public schools.
Minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public school average of 80% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in San Marcos, CA (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Discovery Elementary School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 76%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
730 Applewilde Dr.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2077
Gr: K-5 | 717 students Student-teacher ratio: 26:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #22.
Paloma Elementary School
(Math: 66% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
660 Camino Magnifico
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2199
Gr: K-5 | 758 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #33.
San Elijo Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1615 Schoolhouse Way
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2600
Gr: K-5 | 834 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 39%
Rank: #44.
Double Peak
(Math: 65% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
111 San Elijo Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2340
Gr: K-8 | 1,171 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #55.
Richland Elementary School
(Math: 64% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
910 Richland Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2400
Gr: K-5 | 883 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #66.
San Elijo Middle School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1600 Schoolhouse Way
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2800
Gr: 6-8 | 1,395 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 43%
Rank: #77.
Knob Hill Elementary School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1825 Knob Hill Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2080
Gr: K-5 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #88.
Baypoint Preparatory Academy - San Diego
Charter School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 55-59%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
520 E. Carmel St.
San Marcos, CA 92079
(760) 203-4383
Gr: K-8 | 162 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #99.
Woodland Park Middle School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1270 Rock Springs Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2455
Gr: 6-8 | 1,184 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #1010.
San Marcos High School
(Math: 36% | Reading: 59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1615 San Marcos Blvd.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2200
Gr: 9-12 | 3,067 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1111.
Mission Hills High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 65%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 Mission Hills Ct.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2700
Gr: 9-12 | 2,751 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1212.
Twin Oaks Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2588
Gr: K-5 | 648 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #1313.
San Marcos Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
650 West Mission Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2500
Gr: 6-8 | 968 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #1414.
Foothills High School
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 60-64%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
158 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2544
Gr: 9-12 | 101 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1515.
La Mirada Academy
(Math: 25% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
3697 La Mirada Dr.
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 290-2000
Gr: K-8 | 868 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 96%
Rank: #1616.
San Marcos Elementary School
(Math: 21% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1 Tiger Way
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2430
Gr: K-5 | 546 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 98%
Rank: #1717.
Pivot Charter School - San Diego Ii
Charter School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1030 La Bonita Dr., Ste. 100
San Marcos, CA 92078
(760) 591-0217
Gr: K-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1818.
North Coastal Consortium Schools
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
255 Pico Ave. Rm. 220
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 761-5110
Gr: K-12 | 46 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #1919.
Twin Oaks High School
Alternative School
(Math: ≤5% | Reading: 10-14%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
158 Cassou Rd.
San Marcos, CA 92069
(760) 290-2555
Gr: 9-12 | 192 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 77%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in San Marcos, CA?
The top-ranked public schools in San Marcos, CA include Discovery Elementary School, Paloma Elementary School and San Elijo Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in San Marcos?
19 public schools are located in San Marcos.
What percentage of students in San Marcos go to public school?
92% of all K-12 students in San Marcos are educated in public schools (compared to the CA state average of 90%).
What is the racial composition of students in San Marcos?
San Marcos public schools minority enrollment is 65% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the California public schools average of 80% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in San Marcos are often viewed compared to one another?

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